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New Toyota Tech Increases Hybrid Efficiency by 10 Percent

Zach Doell is a Contributor at Complex Rides, as well as an avid automotive tinkerer. If it has four wheels, an interesting story, or even a whiff of Formula One, you can bet he's interested. The force is strong with this one.

Hyper-milers. We know you’re out there, and here’s some good news for you. Toyota has developed new technology to provide its hybrid vehicles with a claimed 10 percent increase in efficiency.

The source of this gas-saving tech is a new semiconductor, which manages the transmission of electricity from a car’s battery to its electric motor and generator. The new semiconductors are composed of silicon carbide rather than just silicon, allowing them to be 80 percent smaller and dissipate less heat. The silicon carbide semiconductors can also operate at higher temperatures, making them more efficient.

In testing, Toyota has already achieved 5 percent fuel economy improvements in its current lineup with more developments expected, however Toyota doesn’t plan on integrating this prototype until 2020. Take a look at the new semiconductor below (left) and the older style (right).